27 Travel Tips from Travel Experts: Easy Trending Ideas

Travel experts have “been there, done that” and are willing to share their wisdom and travel tips to improve YOUR travel adventures by offering optimized planning skills, timeless travel tips, and tested advice. Especially if those travel tips can maximize your travel savings, give you inspiration on the best destinations, and help you be as prepared as possible for your trips.

When you are planning your travel as a first-time traveler or as a seasoned traveler, my recommendation is to seek advice and the best travel tips from travelers with experience, especially those who offer family travel hacks, solo travel information, and international travel tips.

27 Trending Travel Tips from Travel Experts

My top 5 travel tips are:

• Start a Travel Savings Fund
• Use Packing Lists
• Consider Travel Insurance
• Research Your Destination
• Plan for Your Electronics

Travel experts weigh in on their timeless travel tips and advice for a worry-free vacation.

1. Start a Travel Savings Fund

One of the BIGGEST barriers to travel is the COST. Especially if you are interested in traveling overseas. What you really need are practical travel tips and suggestions on how to maximize your travel savings.

Your goal is to establish the habit of saving money SPECIFICALLY FOR TRAVEL each month. If you travel regularly, you will find that you build up your travel savings fund, plan a trip, use up your fund, and then start to build again.

Are you planning for a once-in-a-lifetime travel event? If you start a travel savings account today as suggested by US News, your vacation fund will begin to grow until you are ready to go.

BUT where do you find the extra money to add to your vacation fund?

Making travel a goal in your life might mean that you begin to make sacrifices in other areas as well:

• Go to fewer movies, plays or musical performances
• Eat out less often and/or bring a lunch to work
• Bring coffee or energy drinks from homec
• Opt out of cable
• Cancel magazine subscriptions
• Don’t renew your XM radio plan
• Limit clothing splurges

These sacrifices all support your dream of traveling and are worth the effort. You do not have to be excessively wealthy to travel, but saving for travel should be a PRIORITY.

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2. Use Packing Lists

Ace travelers know that a great time saver for the first time traveler is to create a packing list. Of course, you may still forget some things, but your packing list is a list you keep improving as time goes by.

Create categories for clothes, accessories, and technology such as portable chargers. Add in reminders of things to do before leaving the house like closing all windows and emptying the garbage. Depending on the type of trip you’re taking, the type of things you’ll need will vary a bit, so once you have the basics you can make variations for the season and destinations.

Download the International Travel Planner

Download the Domestic Travel Planner

3. Consider Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is often overlooked, especially for first time travelers, but for peace of mind, it is one of the best timeless travel tips to follow.

Many people often forget that anything can happen when you travel, even if you are only planning for a short-term vacation. However, protecting yourself with travel insurance can save you time and money when unfortunate things do happen. For example, if your flight is delayed or you accidentally get sick while traveling, travel insurance can ease your mind.  

Nowadays, you can find many travel insurance plans online. Some even offer annual plans for digital nomads, which are valid worldwide. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry when you travel.

4. Research Your Destination

Once you have your travel destination chosen, no matter where it is, one of your next steps is to do some research. Great resources include blogs about family travel, solo travel blogs, and adventure travel sites. This can include how to get there, accommodations, things to do, and costs at destination.

Looking at things to do, your obvious friend is a search engine. Enter Google and Pinterest. However, don’t discount or disregard social media. There are plenty of ace travelers and companies on social media with local knowledge who are willing to help find that perfect spot.

To get the best results from any search engine, using specific keywords returns the best information, whilst “must do” and “best things to do” are a great start. More specific phrases such as “non touristy” and “crowd free places” narrow your searches significantly. Alternative words that can also be used are “secret”, “hidden”, “unique” etc. Additionally, if you like to do a specific activity add this to your search, e.g., “[activity] in [destination]”.  

Search for pages, communities, blogs about family travel, groups or #hashtags for the area you are looking for on Twitter, websites, and Instagram.

5. Plan for Your Electronics

I’m all for including technology and electronics in our travel essentials. My electronic devices and travel tech feature prominently on my travel lists and they should on your lists too. These may include:

• Smart Phone
• Portable Charger
• Tablet (with Keyboard)
• E-Reader
• Watch
• Chargers and Cables
• AirTags
• Photography Equipment
• Headphone and Earbuds
• Powerstrip
• Travel Tech Organizer

If you are looking for additional travel essentials for women, men’s travel accessories as well as cool gadgets and travel tech, click on over to my Amazon Storefront.

6. Apply for a Travel Credit Card

Travel experts agree that researching and signing up for a travel credit card that makes sense for you and the way you travel is one of the savvy travel skills you need: options include Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture credit cards. For making everyday purchases, you’ll rack up reward points, which, depending on the card you choose, can be used to fly to Maui or the Maldives or to splurge on a nicer hotel than you’d usually spring for.

And if you time signing up for the card before you’re about to make several larger purchases (like for your upcoming wedding or move), you’ll usually be able to meet the credit card’s sign-up bonus spending threshold and get those points (and thus, those free flights) even sooner! Isn’t that the best travel tip?

Travel credit cards offer a variety of other benefits for travelers, like airport lounge access, paying for TSA Precheck and Global Entry, plus no international transaction fees when you’re spending abroad. Just make sure you can pay off your credit card every month and that your travel credit card is earning you money (instead of the other way around!).

7. Use the Wise Mobile Banking App

Once your flights and accommodations are booked, the next big stressor you are probably feeling as you prepare for your trip is “How do I spend money abroad?”

Wise is an international mobile banking app recommended by travel experts that is 100% free, and it will be your new best friend as a traveler. It is one of the best travel hacks to remember.

Wise allows you to receive, send, and hold money much like PayPal or Venmo—except that it allows you to do so in more that 50 currencies! You always get the market rate for travel savings when you convert money between currencies, and it has crazy low fees.

The best part? The Wise debit card allows you spend your money like your home debit card, but in the currency of whatever country you are in. 

Not convinced? Discover all the ways Wise can work for you!

8. Choose the Right Size of Backpack

Traveling becomes trouble-free if you carry the right capacity backpack with you. To understand the capacity of your backpack, you can divide your bag into three zones:

• Bottom zone: Ideal for storing items not needed during travel but required after reaching the destination.
• Central zone: This zone can be used for bulkier items that need more space. You can pack all your clothes here.
• Top zone: You can keep the essential items here that you might need during travel/hike.

Apart from these zones, backpacks with many pockets and compartments are perfect for storing travel essentials you will need urgently, e.g., first aid kit, medicine, water, etc.

If you plan for a 1-3 day weekend trip, then a 30-50 liter backpack will be perfect. A lightweight backpack with adjustable torso length and ventilation keeps you comfortable on the trail.

You need to carry heavier loads and supplies for trips 3-5 days long or longer. So, it would be best if you choose a backpack depending on the frame type with a capacity of 70 liters and more.

9. Pack Solid Toiletries

When you’re packing for a trip, the liquids rules for your carry on bag can really get in the way. One of the best ways to minimize how much liquid you have to deal with is to switch to solid toiletries for travel.

Some great options are solid shampoo and conditioner. So many brands exist that are just as good, if not better, than their liquid counterparts. Ethique is one option. Try a few before you travel to figure out which ones work best for you.

Make sure you get a travel soap dish for your solid shampoo and conditioner. But when you’re done with your shower, let the bars dry before you close it up again, otherwise they get mushy.

Beyond shampoo and conditioner, you can also use solid sunscreen, toothpaste tabs, laundry detergent sheets, bug repellent, and many other things you might not have thought about before.

10. Travel with Carry-On Luggage Only

If you regularly check blogs about family travel, solo travel or adventure travel, you’ll note that one of the best travel tips is to always double check the amount of allowed luggage on any flight that you book.

While some premium airline carriers have generous baggage allowances, some airlines only include one small handbag with the price of your ticket. And if you arrive at the airport with more luggage than your ticket allows, you can sometimes pay upwards of $100. 

For the best travel savings, please note that the prices for excess baggage are usually much higher when purchased at the airport as opposed to purchasing online and in advance. Carry-on luggage weight and size allowances can vary significantly from one airline to the next.

11. Pack a Travel First Aid Kit

A travel first aid kit, is essential when hiking and traveling. Kits come in a variety of sizes; this travel tip focuses on a kit small enough to include in your personal travel bag or backpack. 

First aid kits are easy to find, as most outdoor stores, sports stores and in some places your super store or pharmacy sell them.  

A good first aid kit will include much of what you need—tweezers, antiseptic wipes and antibacterial cream or wash, plasters, burn gels, even a heat retaining foil blanket—if you run into trouble while hiking.  

Alternatively, you could make your own DIY first aid kit. You can customize it to have all the essential things you need while you’re traveling such as: 

• Medication
• Bandages
• Hand sanitizer
• Tissues
• Rehydration packets
• Sunscreen

13. Keep a Digital Copy of Documents

Travel experts strongly recommend that you keep copies of your documents; digital copies should be kept in cloud storage or in a password storage program.

Remember the days when you’d write down on a piece of paper the address of your accommodations, the phone number, and directions? While you may just check Google Maps now, do you still keep a piece of paper with the rest of your important information?

Travel experts advise that you keep copies of your documents both in physical and digital formats. You should consider scanning all relevant documents and storing them on a flash drive or in cloud storage (secured with a password).

You may wish to have a hard copy of your:

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• ID card
• Insurance policy

Should you happen to lose your key documents, this is one of the travel hacks that makes it easier to get help from your embassy or consulate to get back home if you can show those copies.

14. Use a Water Filter Bottle

If you’re doing a lot of traveling, you’ll likely end up in a place where it’s unsafe to drink the tap water. Either that, or you’ll need to stay hydrated whilst on a long hike or out camping.

One of the best travel hacks is to always carry a water bottle with a water filter. Not only will the planet thank you for using less disposable plastic, but you can drink water from any tap, stream, puddle, or pond after filtering!

15. Bring a Wheeled Cooler on Road Trips

Traveling by car can give you a lot of freedom while vacationing. Careful road trip planning allows you to see more, be spontaneous, and drive for as long or as little as you like.

Plus a road trip allows you to save money on food. Experts suggest that filling a cooler allows you to pack easy breakfasts such as fruits and yogurt drinks that you can eat during the drive. Sandwich meats and snacks like string cheese make easy lunches for hikes and other outdoor activities.

Once you reach your destination, it can be hard lugging a cooler full of food down to the beach, to a campsite, or even from the parking lot to your accommodations. Problem solved with a wheeled cooler!

One of the Just Wander More travel hacks is to bring a smaller folding cooler for day trips that folds and tucks easily into your luggage for trips close to home and abroad.

16. Check Hotel Room Amenities Before Packing

A mistake that many first-time travelers make is overpacking and bringing unnecessary items that they won’t use.

To avoid this mistake, it is worth checking the hotel amenities before you start packing. Travel experts recommend checking the hotel’s website to determine what items are provided in your room.

For example, you may be thinking of packing a hairdryer or a travel iron to keep your clothes neat, however, the hotel room may have these two items, so you can leave them at home.

17. Find FREE Campsites

When you’re traveling, camping can be a really fun way to experience a new place, get out in nature, and also log some travel savings! There are lots of ways to find free campsites while you’re on the go.

When you’re traveling around the United States, did you know that you can camp for free in national forests or on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land? Travel experts recommend using the Public Lands app to see the boundaries of public lands in the US. If you want some adventure, you can drive down forest roads and find a spot to camp!

There are also a few apps that you can use to find campsites that ace travelers have visited and reviewed, which can be easier for first time travelers. Some of the best apps include iOverlander and The Dyrt.

18. Travel as the Locals Do and Save Money

A great way to see real travel savings while traveling is to travel using public transport. Passes are often available which make it great value too.

For example, a 24-hour train and subway ticket in Berlin costs 8.80 Euros ($9 or £7.50). You can extend this ticket for another 24 hours for 3.70 Euros ($4 or £3). A single journey on the local transport in Baku costs 12 cents or 10 pence.

Many cities also have integrated public transport where you can travel on the subway, bus, train, and boat with one ticket/pass. Traveling on public transport is also a great way to meet local people and enjoy some everyday life too. Drivers and locals are happy to point out stops if places are unfamiliar. This makes public transport a great option whether you are a first time traveler or among the travel experts.

19. Access Airport Lounges

Traveling can be stressful sometimes. That’s where airport lounges can come to the rescue! If you ever find yourself in the terminal wanting to get away from it all for a few minutes (or hours), you can unwind in the private lounges that are available in almost any big-city airports.

Travel Experts are Familiar with These Lounge Perks:

• Comfortable seating
• Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beveragesc
• Complimentary snacks (and meals sometimes)
• Shower facilities
• Restrooms
• Quiet

Although most lounges require you to fly business class, fly internationally and/or be a premium cardholder, there are some simpler ways to gain access to an airport lounge:

• Subscribe to an annual membership such as Priority Pass
• Purchase an annual lounge membership with your favorite airline
• Pay for a day pass at the door  

20. Practice Self-Care to Reduce Stress While Traveling

Although we travel to relax and enjoy ourselves, some situations can still cause stress. Travel experts know that tending to your basic needs through self-care activities can help to reduce that stress and enhance your travel experience. Food, water, sleep, and exercise are essential details that should be included in your travel plans. Follow these four basic self-care travel tips to help you stay healthy while you are out adventuring:

• Make Sure You Are Getting Enough Sleep
• Don’t Forget to Eat and Drink Water
• Drink Plenty of Water
• Get Outdoors and Move Around

21. Learn Basic Phrases

During travel to non-touristy places, you might find out that most of the people in the area do not speak English. One of the best travel tips from ace travelers? Learn a few basic phrases in another language.

Two of the most spoken languages in the world are Chinese and Spanish. If you already know the world of siesta, it might be worth learning a few more phrases that will help you during your travel. Some of the most essential are: “How much is this?” and numbers! Can you imagine shopping or paying for a taxi without knowing those basics?

22. Work with a Travel Agent

If you are traveling internationally, or to a popular tourist site (ie., Disneyland), a great suggestion is to work with travel agents. Travel agents usually get paid through the hotels, resorts, and tours they book through.

Not only can travel agents help you find hidden gems in the cities you’re visiting, but they can also help you save money through the hotels and other travel sites they use. An agent can also help you find beautiful, less-touristy cities which you may not have first considered. Some agencies even have “specialists” for certain geographical areas of travel. They can also help you navigate the train and flight systems and put them together in an itinerary for you.

If you have any issues while you are on your trip, don’t hesitate to reach out to your agent. Sometimes small hiccups come up being in a new country. Your agent is there to help and wants your trip to go as smoothly as possible. 

More Savvy Travel Skills from Just Wander More

23. Travel in the Off Season

If you want to avoid hordes of tourists, higher prices due to higher demand, busy restaurants, and crowded beaches, consider traveling in the off season.

24. Apply for an International Driver’s Permit

Americans CAN drive in the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. BUT you must have a valid driver’s license from the United States. You do not need to have an International Driver’s License, but travel experts would agree that isn’t a bad idea either.

You DO need car insurance while driving, so make sure you know what is offered through your own insurance or your credit card company. If you come up wanting, be sure to have the insurance through the rental company.

25. Ask the Hotel Concierge for Ideas

The duties of a concierge include making your stay enjoyable, stress-free, and unforgettable. In fact, great concierges know how to get stuff done. Discover some of the ways that they can make you next hotel stay even better:

• Dinner Reservations
• Show or Play Tickets
• Give Directions and Book Transportation
• Schedule a Tee-Time
• Arrange for Spa Days
• Assist with Celebrations

26. Purchase the Right Camera Gear

Travel photography is all about capturing places, people, and moments. Having the essential travel photography gear and gadgets simply helps to create stunning photographs. Click through to discover what I carry in my camera bag. Begin to outfit your trips with my photography gear guide to improve your travel pictures.

27. Learn to Appreciate Slow Travel

Until recently, my husband and I planned trips that are go go go. We want to see as much as possible in the time that we have abroad. When we visited Tahiti and stayed in overwater bungalows, we began to embrace the idea of slow travel. Slow down. Enjoy the culture, the people, the local adventures, and time together.

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Final Thoughts on 27 Travel Tips from Travel Experts: Easy Trending Ideas

If you are new to planning a vacation or if you are looking for tips to streamline your travel planning, you are quickly learning that there is a lot to consider. Thankfully, travel experts have weighed in on their best travel hacks and tips to help you have the most successful trip ever.

Bookmark this page for insider tips and advice that will help to make your next vacation seamless and memorable.

Savvy travel skills are things you learn over time through experience and making a few travel mistakes along the way. These super smart travel tips will help you enjoy travel savings, find optimal transportation, explore off the beaten path and simply become a better traveler (and maybe avoid a few missteps along the way).

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